Tonight we get a film with Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee! You just can’t go wrong here. It’s based on a science fiction novel by John Lymington, who went on to do a lot more Sci-Fi/Fantasy. And detective stories, and everything else. He was a prolific writer. Considering the time frame he was active I am surprised he didn’t do anything for Doctor Who. He must have just enjoyed novels and short stories far more that movies and television, as this story (done twice, in 1960 and 1967) was his only non-book credit.
So what is it about? Savage, man-eating aliens that give off incredible heat fall to earth. Their motives are unclear, but a small town in England begins to roast in the middle of winter. English professors to the rescue! Or maybe not. We shall find out tonight!
One minor spoiler: The aliens in the movie version of Night of the Big Heat were described by others who watched this as looking like “fried eggs.” In the novel they were described as big spiders. It’s a little disappointing, but when your budget is pocket change these things happen.
This was directed by Terence Fisher, who many of you probably recognize as a prolific Hammer Horror film director. He did this film for a different company, with folks that usually did Hammer Horror films. My guess is this was not seen as a profitable part of the Hammer movie canon at the time, which was already well into supernatural horror films and not sci fi. Some good trivia: It was produced at Pinewood Studios, which later became the home of many James Bond films, starting with Dr. No.
So watch! or don’t! Everything is voluntary. Slumbrew, I researched Shakes the Clown and determined I had not shown it. I swore I had at some point. So, next week we watch Shakes the Clown!
Do Not Save Hollywood!
Saving Hollywood means keep the collective big studio model dominant. I won’t say it is a monopoly, because there are plenty of independent studios. But the large studios keep cranking out crap that cost a ton of money and dominates the theater circuit, preventing many smaller studios from getting in first run. And yes, theaters are going away, but I still like the theater experience. And I would rather hear about a small independent film than some massive turd. The entire big studio system is already sucking up taxpayer dollars (state, local and federal), and it doesn’t need to waste any more to stay afloat. It needs to die so something better can be born. The very idea that people would come flocking back to Hollywood for productions is quite honestly, absurd. Productions left Hollywood for other states because California is a pain in the ass that grossly inflates the cost of making a movie. And any move Trump would make to drive people back to Hollywood would only keep California government afloat that much longer. It all needs to go. Movies, high tech, everything needs to leave California until the government is starved to death.
That’s my rant, probably no surprise on my opinion and hope it creates some discussion.
” So, next week we watch Shakes the Clown!”
I’ll dl it since Pluto hates me.
Tubi just uploaded a bonanza of films. Very excited. I hope they aren’t all on a short timeline.
The devil is in the timeline thing. They should put when the showing ends.
I was surprised this wasn’t Hammer. I don’t recall them doing much SF, and this sounds more like a monster movie anyway.
It’s aliens and sci fi. And lusty British professors.
Watching through it, I think it just was too slow burn.
They threw in the whole horny professor subplot too, for no reason.
“which later became the home of many James Bond films, starting with Dr. No.”
This was before the British discovered Asia.
… “You Only Live Twice”.
It’s like a perfect time capsule of a film that could never be made today.
Austin Powers + Alotta Fagina- In Japan Men come first
Quite true. My comment was in regards all the Chinese characters were played by white actors. Nancy Kwan would have been in her 30’s and an absolute smokeshow.
Got it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akiko_Wakabayashi
Same age as Kwan. It took them five years. Although Zena Marshall is a good looking African.
Also the only open top 2000GT because Connery couldn’t fit in the hard top production model.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aki_(James_Bond)#/media/File:TOYOTA_2000GT_Bond_vehicles.jpg
One of my favorite cars of the era. Comparable to an E Type but way more expensive because of low numbers. Even if I had that much money I’d just buy the Jag.
Those things are in the millions now. Front mid engine still seems weird. Don’t know if it actually won races, but it was ridiculously exotic for a 60’s Japanese car.
Corvettes from C4 up until the current travesty were front mid engine as well. It’s one of they reasons the C5s and C6s were so dominant in sports car racing.
I want to like the C8 Corvettes, but hard to like any “sports” car sold as automatic only.
I appreciate the C8 for the huge value it represents compared to other super cars.
My issue is the styling. I get the transmission thing, but like you don’t love it.
Porsche gets around it by having enough volume to be able add a slower manual in its line up which includes the regulatory cost and low take rate. But its top spec is always PDK because it is faster. Sadly.
I personally think the C8 is ugly. The lack of a manual is also terrible…but mostly I think it just has no soul left. The C5 6 and 7 all were what I considered what a modern Corvette should be (I am a sucker for the C4 though. I know they have flaws but it’s just such a striking shape…also, I like the oddness of the Doug Nash 4+3 as well as the badassery of the ZR-1).
Also big heat
Saving Hollywood means keep the collective big studio model dominant.
There may have been a near monopoly by the studios in the era of films I enjoy, but at the same time they were churning movies out like an assembly line.
The commies had just got there. The influence of leftist pap did not become apparent until the mid-60s.
The SF/monster movies of the 50’s were anti-communist.
Huh, kind of like the Horta from Star Trek. That kind of looked like a fried egg, but more like a squashed meatball with candy corn stuck in it.
In other news, the welding place I visited today is part of a high school that needs math teachers. The instructor said he’d put in a good word for me after I explained my situation.
I always thought of it a huge meatloaf.
NO KILL I
The Horta would do anything for love, but it won’t do that.
It would do anything for love?
Looked like a sweet potato soufflé with rainbow marshmallows on top.
Nice try, Ted. Great minds think alike.
missed it by *this* much…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNK3iZJtDY8
“Looked like a sweet potato soufflé with rainbow marshmallows on top.”
That’s some good weed.
Luuuuuuuuuudes…..
On a hot summer night would you offer your throat to the wolf with red roses?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wO8toxinoc
You would be great for that. Hope you get the job.
Thanks. Ideally, I can teach during the day and brush up on welding at night. Once I perfect my technique, I can start my own business and fix all the busted farm equipment around here.
It was funny listening to the welding instructor complain about “kids these days”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrYx-rhIiLE
“walking on their pants with their hat on backwards listening to the enema man and Snoopy Snoopy poop dog”
He’s right. I never perfected my welding skills. I took shop and drafting all through high school.
I recall more-fried-egg-looking aliens that somehow possessed flight. I think one tried to suck out Spock’s brain?
I do too.
different episode
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_–_Annihilate!
Huh, WordPress unlinks terminal exclamation points from URLs.
My race with find this very useful!
***
Cyrillic letters can be used in fake URLs to deceive users. Some Cyrillic letters closely resemble Latin letters, allowing cybercriminals to create URLs and email addresses that appear legitimate at first glance. This technique is called homograph spoofing. Hackers use characters from the Cyrillic alphabet that look similar to Roman letters to redirect people to malicious websites.
***
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awpOACHOBwc
I just assumed Pinewood was the only film studio in England. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Like all German files are produced at Bavaria Studios.
Almost. Thunderbirds are Go and all. The puppetoons had their own studio, which later became a car repair shop. Doctor Who (the series) was dine elsewhere too.
Done. Argh.
Also, Harlington Straker Studios
Pretty much the same. But I did recall some of the specialist ones RJ noted.
I have soft spot for Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons.
Yeah! That was such a cool series. The man who could not die.
Probably because my viewings of James Bond total more than all other English films I have ever seen, combined.
You are most wise. I do not understand the attraction to English art films.
And Russian/Soviet films are all done at Mosfilm.
I thought he was complaining about foreign productions. Which seems ridiculous.
Drinker just did a video on it.
Link?
Sorry, don’t do YT on this machine. Just go to his channel. It was the latest one.
Here you go amigo
https://youtu.be/DFCshwzb2os?si=ZGE5dfXwU_ePEMIz
This movie looks awesome. Can’t wait.
Also, +1 quality rant. Movie theaters are going to have to be creative to survive.
Last time I went to a movie theater was 2018, and that was only because I was on a date.
She was a veterinarian who drove a beat-up truck. Figured she was my type. Turns out not so much.
You got to buy a large popcorn, then stick your dick through the bottom of the box.
[takes notes]
I tried playing Hava Nagila with a Raisinets box like Jay Sherman, but it didn’t work.
IT STINKS!
Large popcorn with a slit in the bottom, hold the salt please.
“…but I still like the theater experience.” Too each his own, but I consider my home theater set-up as superior to the movie theater. Nevermind that I can pause it when I want to for potty breaks and snacks don’t cost an arm and a leg.
True. I can also drink/smoke/etc whatever I want.
Anyway, agree on not saving Hollywood. You can make a movie on a smartphone now.
I drank plenty in movie theaters. That’s what flasks are for. When I saw Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, I should not have driven home from that. But absolutely, I can get as libertarian as I want in my movie room and not have to worry about a designated driver. My wife dragged me to The Accountant 2. It was ok but also showed what is wrong with Hollywood today. That movie was a sequel and the only 2 previews were also for sequels – a new John Wick with, a female appearing to pick up the torch and Mission Impossible 23 or whatever they’re on. They’re clearly out of new ideas.
The IP thing is out of control. There are tons of books, and great screenplays sitting around unused. But it’s all remake, reboot, sequel, prequel, etc.
Perhaps Relevant.
Nothing beats getting your shoes stuck to the floor on spilled Coke and sitting in unknown substances, probably jizz BTW. Yeah, the theater experience rocks.
Meh, I ate an almost full bag of popcorn while getting almost private showing of that CGU ant movie with Woody Allen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X54RaHAv6cA
*lights GT signal
Is McCook’s still there?
Nope.
The only time I went to Dayton’s other major cinepleXXX, The “Art” Theatre, was the one time I saw Rocky Horror Picture Show in a theater instead of a campus rec center. (Miami would bring it to campus one weekend a year, showing it Friday night in, say, North Quad, then Saturday night in South Quad. I saw it twice that way, and both times the person sitting directly behind me threw up. The second time, the person who made me aware of the incident was the friend who had thrown up behind me the year before. “I hate to be the one to tell you this…”) I’ve not seen Rocky Horror since, nor been to an X-rated movie theater.
SFed the 2nd link.
“both times the person sitting directly behind me threw up”
They were drunk off their ass?
He has a powerful pong. They don’t call him Stinky for nothing.
Well, of course! It was a college campus, and it was the weekend.
lol Weekend eh? Pikers.
Alamo Drafthouse > Home
I remember reading the novel, but it was a long time ago, and I don’t recall it leaving much of an impression other than ‘oh, here’s more aliens intent on conquering the Earth, starting with Britain!”
Cue Dr. Who opening . . .
Never, ever spend Christmas in London.
Or summer. That place has no air conditioning. And the Thames stinks in the heat.
Of course. Why do you think the aliens always invade on Christmas?
Which one?? There are several worthy choices.
I was thinking of the Pertwee era music, when every imaginable imperialistic alien species was attempting to conquer England.
I completely agree with your rant. I swear Trump is making policy by brain fart and/or free association. He is essentially offering to bail out LA. It makes no sense.
This one is purely because he had dinner with someone who put a bug in his ear. He’s easily swayed, just flatter him.
Probably some union flack.
Vegas cross-check to Edmonton defender broke the dude’s nose. No pussies on the ice. (Offender got 5min in the Sin Bin! Whoopsie!)
Final in OT seconds ago. (Result and score purposefully withheld.) After St. Louis lost Game 7 I’m pro anything Canada. Feels proper.)
I need to wake up in three hours for work, but I’m askew as I also slept from ~’round 7- 11pm. My life is many things, but ‘boring’ ain’t one of ’em. (‘Easy’ or ‘uncomplicated’ also make the list, mostly of my own doing. Hectic?)
Thanks for these, R.J. Always appreciated, and I have fond feelings for fondling the film’s poster. (I’ll talk to Cushing and Lee later, but they should End Scene and leave me to her.)
Saw. Pleased with result.
Fun day today. Almost got side swiped by two vehicles. First was a semi that decided he wanted to move into me instead of applying brakes as the traffic slowed in front of him. Second was a jeep that was drifting over the line. Saw the jeep about 40 miles later in the median. Driver was shouting at a trooper, his jeep had a brand new v fold hood and there were two other damaged vehicles.
But you made it. 🍻
Yes, he did
“First bump from Wolverine*
Wakey-bakey Glibronis. Always astonished by how fast time swims at work, I eagerly welcome a swift beginning to my 5am shift. (It is helpful the commute enjoys (nearly) full vacancy. A couple other vagrants join in.
Happiest with Vance’s blunt and needed forthrightness, saying India v Pakistan is “none of our business.” I assure all, I have deep vindication in my belief that we need far more Brown on Brown *love.* (Seeking applicants. Lithe females preferred.) Our cricket game will ongo for days.
Happy Friday to all you Glibs, Feebs, and dweebs!
🤓🥞☔️
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0bi7OfaKMY
🎶
Two outta three ain’t bad.
I’m off again today.
Probably going to do laundry.
Good morning…everyone!
It’s a good thing I allow myself so much extra time in the morning. Coughing kept me awake the better part of the night, so when my alarm clock went off at 6, I promptly fell back to sleep for another hour. 😳
Oh, dear.
Sick day?
I’m going to go in and TRY to work for at least part of the day, but I reserve the right to bail out at any point.
😷🤧🤞
https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/lapd-returning-firearms-palisades-fire/
Sounds like a trap. 🤔
Man shows up to claim lost bag of cocaine at Stafford business, then runs off: Deputies
https://www.nj.com/bergen/2025/05/this-nj-town-has-to-pay-more-than-200000-for-suing-its-own-lawyers.html
Wut?
Lawyers should be barred from becoming Judges.
My opinion on that matter has nothing to do with the case, just a statement of fact.
who should become judges then?
There is still the whole non-lawyer, non-cop population to draw from.
i would think knowledge of the law is needed
Why? It’s not like they follow it now.
The two real problems – The law mandating afforable housing; the town meddling in what gets built on private land.
Five minutes later, everyone is bitching that no one can afford to live in NJ anymore.
Virginia High School League votes to fully sanction girls wrestling
How about this buried gem?
VHSL sounds like a home video format. Which implies various improper things for their wrestling format.
I read that as “escorts” and got vaguely excited by 18yo talent.
I do not repent.
Wrong type of escorts – these protect the capital ships from aircraft, missiles, drones, and submarines.
Want to be a talent scout?
I was waiting for something about trannies.
*NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Joe Biden says he’s responsible for Donald Trump’s victory last fall, but he attributes Kamala Harris’ loss, at least in part, to sexism and racism.”
How about fuck off.
It. Is. So. Tedious.
(I’ve found that a good insult to politely wreck Lefties cognitive dissonance. Well. *I* think so.)
The left hate the First and Second Ladies because the left are raging xenophobes.
I encourage them to keep calling voters bigots.
Mornin’ Y’all,
Summer like temps on deck for the next few days. I left my baby plants outside last night. Little guys need to be tough and hardy to make it in this world.
UnCiv: Do you have enough magazines or do you need to borrow some?
Right now, I still only have three. I’m going to try to acquire some more, but given that some places have just plain sold out, I’m not convinced I’ll get enough. I think it’d be a good idea to err on the side of “I probably need to borrow some”
Ok, I’ll bring a couple. I think the longest stage is 32 rounds, so 40 should do you. Also the total round count is <120.
Thank you.
[ Not Adahn sends UCS back issues of Highlights ]
suh’ fam
yo whats goody
I get to have a CT scan done on the ticker today. The old “cardiac calcium score”.
I’m not looking forward to hearing the results.